last will

If Brad Meltzer wanted to, he good quit his job as a novelist and devote all of his time to writing comics. His latest the one-shot Final Crisis tie-in, Last Will and Testament, is one of the best single issues of any comic published this year. The confrontation between Geo-Force and Deathstroke is so profound and deeply human that it could stand up to Oscar winners and classic novels for pure gravitas. It’s books like this that are finally helping the comic medium rise above its “kids stuff” stigma. Who cares about the funny costumes? These are real human moments..

controversy

Recently Tropic Thunder has come under attack by various mental disability advocacy groups. Having had a sister with Downs Syndrome I feel I can comment on this. As much as I appreciate these issues coming into the cultural debate, I feel that in this case the controversy is a bit misguided. What’s being lampooned with the character of Simple Jack is not the mentally challenged, but how Hollywood treats them. It really shines a light on how condescendingly they are portrayed in film and how Hollywood bends over backwards to pat themselves on the back for being sensitive while in reality being cold and calculated. We’ve all seen the academy award nominations for actors and actresses playing mentally challenged characters. Is it possible that maybe the lure of the little gold statue outweighs sympathy? And let’s face it.. some of these films are just awful.. The Other Sister? I Am Sam? So, to all those boycotters I say go a little deeper with your criticism and you may find this film is on your side.

robotech

I just picked this dvd collection up. Robotech was one of my favorite shows as a kid. Not just because it had giant robots. No this show had character development, dram and even.. death.. Yes death. I was used to the GI Joe cartoon where you'd see a parachute every time a plane blew up. In Robotech main characters died. Add to that interracial relationships and even cross dressing, I'd say this show helped me open my eyes to different cultures and maybe even helped to cement my liberal political views at a young age.. And the show is just as good to me now as it was then..

RIP

RIP Michael Turner.. To anyone who collected comics in the late 90’s Michael Turners work was instantly recognizable to the point of being iconic. His work on Fathom and Witchblade redefined the “hot woman” comic character for a new generation. And his work on Supergirl created a look for the character that is still the defining look. His work will inspire up and coming artists for decades. He will be missed by fans and industry insiders alike..

under the hood

I’ve just read Judd Winick’s “under The Hood” story line from Batman. I’ve always been a little rough on Winick’s writing. I always viewed him as the guy form the Real World who happened to get lucky. But I’m eating my words now. His characterization of Black Mask had me in stitches. It’s a shame he’s not a better known villain. Then we could be contemplating who could play him in the next Batman film and using Winick’s concept of the character as a blueprint.

overrated

I’ve really tried to like Mad Men. It’s won awards, the critics love it. It’s hip, it’s stylish. To me it’s overrated. I’m not going to argue that that acting is solid (I’ve been a fan of Elizabeth Moss since her days on the West Wing), but its lampooning of early 60's sexism and habits is over the top as to be clumsy. And yes I know its ironic and the women really do have the power, but that doesn't make it any less clumsy. Everything it is trying to do has been done better in Far From Heaven or even the Prize Winner of Defiance Ohio. Is there something I’m not getting? Is it because I’m a man who isn’t a misogynist? I dunno

memories

Funny how a song will take you back.. I remember listening to the Belle and Sebastian song “Dress Up In You” when I was on vacation in Italy in the summer of 2006.I put this song on my ipod this morning. Instantly I was transported back. I was able to stay in a friend’s apartment. The windows all open and a fleeting breeze blowing back the white curtains. Sipping lemoncello from the corner store. Reading bits of James Joyce’s Ulysses as the sun set before going to the bar down the street. Some say that smell is the sense most associated with memory. I say that sometimes it’s sound.